Clip for venetian blind slats



Jan. 9, 1945.

M. J. BYER CLIP FOR VENETIAN BLIND SLATS Filed May 2, 1944 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,367,095 H cur FOR VENETIAN BLIND stars 1 Moses J.-Byer, Bangor, Maine Application May 2, 1944, Serial No. 533,739

/ '5 Claims.

This invention relates to Venetian blinds.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved slat construction for a Venetian blind which will permit removal of one or more of the slats for cleaning, repair, replacement or for other purposes, without removalof the cords or straps, and without disassembling the entire structure.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved slat construction for a Venetian blind which includes a pivoted clip secured to one edge of the slat adjacent each slot and extending the cord slot of the slat to the edge adjacent the clip so that when the clip is swung outwardly the slat may be shifted laterally in order to disengage the slat from the cord.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved clip which is U-shaped in transverse section and is pivoted to the slat, the clip straddling the slot which communicates with the cord opening.

To the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically re-' ferred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an .embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, modifications are variations may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a Venetian blind slat having mounted thereon a cord releasing clip constructedfaccording to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2,is a fragmentary plan view of the slat showing the clip-in released position,

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Figure 3 is a transverse section through the slat with the clip in locked position, and

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation of the clip in locked position.

Referring to the drawi the numeral Iii designates generally a conventional Venetian blind slat which is of elongated construction and is formed withone or more elongated cord openings II. A cord I3 is adapted to extend loosely through the slot I I and is connected in the usual manner to the upper and lower rails of the blind.

In order to provide a means whereby the slat It) may be removed from the blind assembly without pulling the cord l3 through the slot H and releasing the cord from the upper and lower rails and also from the remaining slats, I have provided a passage or slot l2 which communiprises a U-shaped member l6 which is formed on the free or open edges thereof with outwardly flared portions 11, whereby the'clip l4 may be readily swung to an operative position and the parallel sides of the U-shaped member may resiliently grip the upper and lower faces of the slat l0.

The U-shaped member 16 is formed with a pair of tongues or narrow extensions l8 extending from one edge of the legs of the U-shaped member l6 and the pivot member l5 extends through the tongues l8 and also through the slat ID. The forward edges of the tongues l8 are open and the bight IQ of the U-shaped member I6 terminates at a point inwardly from the ends of the tongues l8 thereby forming a stop or abutment 20. When the clip I4 is swung to an open position, the abutment or stop 20 will engage the adjacent edge of the slat II], as shown in Figure 2, and thereby limit the swinging of the clip beyond a right angle.

The U-shaped member l6 parallel legs thereof of such length and width that when the clip is in locked position, the flared portions l1 thereof will entirely close the slot i2. There will be as many clips It on each slat ID as there are openings II for the cords i3, and preferably, the clips M are on only one edge of the slat In so that all of the clips may be swung to 3, released oropen position and the slat l0 then moved laterally or horizontally to disengage the slat from the cords.

With a slat construction of this kind, any one or all of the slats may be removed from the cords and the straps supporting the slats without unthreading the cords or disengaging the upper and lower rails from the cords. These clips may be made out of any desired metal or other material and being of resilient construction will normally remain in locked position. The clips will not add unduly to the cost of the Venetian blind construction and will provide a means whereby the use of the blind can not only properly clean all of the slats by removal from the supporting structure, but can repaint or otherwise refinish the slats or replace a broken or has the opposite damaged slat without completely disassembling the blind construction.

The clip in a closed position, by resiliently and v firmly grippin the upper and lower faces of the ping opposite faces of the slat when in slot closing position.

2. In a Venetian blind, a slat having a trans-- versely elongated cord opening therethrough and a narrow slot extending from said opening to an adjacent edge of the slat, a U-shaped slot closing member adapted when in closing positionto overlap the opposite faces of the slat, and means pivotally securing said member to said slat.

3. In a Venetian blind as set forth in claim 2. a pair of tongues extending from an edge of said member and through which said pivot means engages. A a

' 4. In a Venetian blind, a slat having a transversely elongated cord opening therethrough and a narrow slot extending from said opening, to an adjacent edge of the slat, a U-shaped slot closing member adapted when in closing position to overlap the opposite faces of the slat, a pair of tongues extending from one edge of the legs of said member, and a pivot extending through said legs and the slat, the free ends of said legs being outwardly flared, and said legs resiliently gripping the opposite faces of the slat.

5. In a Venetian blind as set forth in claim 4 wherein one end of the bight of said member will strike an edge 01' said slat to thereby limit the movement of said member to slot opening position. v

' MOSES J. BYER. 

